Gas separator



W. l. BETTS GAS SEPARATOR Feb. 8, 1938.

Filed Feb. 13, 1936 www Homey.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES GASl SEPARATOR William I. Bettis, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Estelle B. Kleaver, Burbank, Calif.

Application February 13, 1936, Serial No. 63,685

1 Claim.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawing, I shall describe and show preferred embodiments of my invention, and specifically mention certain of the more important objects.

V I do not limit myself to the exact forms disclosed however, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

My invention relates to mechanical means for separating gases, solids, and liquids of higher gravity, from liquid mixtures in which such substances are held in suspension or solution. It will be found tb be especially useful in the oil industries. Among its principal objects are;

first, to provide an improved continuous method for effectively eliminating impurities of the stated kinds from liquids, by mechanical means, either with or without the use of heat; second, to furnish facilities for separation of gases from liquids concurrently with separation of solids and liquid impurities; third, to supply apparatus for accomplishing the above purposes without waste of useful substances; and, fourth, to accomplish the aforesaid objects by means of simple, ei-

cient and relatively inexpensive apparatus.

My objects are accomplished in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Whichg Figure l is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention, in central longitudinal section, and

Figure 2 is a cross section of the above construction, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout both views.

In the separation of gases from liquids, particularly when the liquids are viscous, certain physical phenomena control in marked degree. Heating the liquid may hasten the process, but it 4o does not change the character of the factors involved. The speed of liberation of gas from a liquid in which it is contained, at any particular temperature, depends upon; the area of the liberating surface; the depth of fluid below said surface; and the viscosity of the liquid.

Obviously when gas is held in suspension or so lution a considerable distance from the liberating surface, time will be required for the gas particles to move to that surface, depending upon the viscosity of the liquid. Moreover, after the gas particles have arrived at the liberating surface, the surface tension of the liquid will continue to hold them for a time. Eventually the surface tension will be overcome, and the gas will break through the surface and 106601116 free.-

My invention is based upon, and fully utilizes, the principles just discussed. In the preferred form that has been selected for illustration, I eme ploy a horizontal cylindrical shell 5, constructed to resist whatever pressure it may be called upon 5 to withstand. Within the shell there is a screwtype conveyor, comprising a helical iin 6, that is wound with a substantial pitch upon a shaft l. This shaft is below the center line of shell 5, and the outer diameter of the helical n is made such l0 that there is only a slight clearance between it and the bottom of the shell. Shaft l, is supported by an internal bearing 8 at one end of the shell; and extends through a stuffing box 9, that also serves as a bearing, at the other end of the l5 shell. The shaft is adapted for rotation at a low speed, by means of a motor II and reduction drive I2. The construction illustrated indicates means for inspecting or replacing bearing bushings, at each end of the device, in a manner that 20 will be apparent to those familiar with such constructions, it being remembered that the bearing at the stuffing box end comprises the packing itself as well as the lining of gland I3.

In the illustrated construction, the screw con- 25 veyor is right-handed, and, intended to be operated in a clock-wise direction when viewed from the driven end. It thus tends to move the contents of the shell from left to right.

The incoming liquid to be treated, which in the 30 case of some oil wells may be a mixture of oil, gas, water and sand, enters through the inlet pipe I4. The contained sand and water will settle, remain close to the bottom of the shell, and be gradually moved along toward the right by 35 the conveyor, until they are finally dropped into sump I5 at the right-hand end of the shell. A blow-ofi cock I6 provides means for emptying the sump, from time to time.

A central upwardly extending dome I'l collects 40 separated gas, and delivers the same to a gas outlet pipe I8.

At the right-hand end of the shell there is an internal float valve I9, communicating with discharge pipe 2|, by which purified and de-gasiiied liquid is delivered from the device. The float valve maintains the level of the liquid within the shell at approximately the center line of shaft l, as indicated in Fig. 2. When there is a tendency 50 for the liquid level to rise above this point, the float 22 rises, and allows discharge through valve I9, to reduce the liquid level to normal.

As stated above, the screw conveyor operates at a low speed, so as not to agitate the liquid in 55 shell 5, and so as to provide time for liberating gases from the wetted surfaces exposed on the upper portions of helical fin 6. The gas liberating capacity comprises not only the normal surface of the liquid in the shell, but also the cornbined surfaces of both sides of the upper portions of helical iin 6. These up-per portions constantly have a thin film of gas containing liquid adhering thereto, and this film is being constantly renewed as the helical fin revolves.

Obviously only a triling amount of power will be required to rotate the screw conveyor; and the device will need practically no attention in operation, since yall working parts are lubricated by the liquid in the shell.

I particularly desire to emphasize that, in my device; the normal area of gas-liberating surface is enormously increased by the use of the two side areas of the revolving nfor this purpose; the lm of gas-containing liquid on the fin is very thin, and, consequently, gas liberation therefrom is proportionally rapid; and the time required for liberating the gas from the exposed wetted surface of the fin may be made equal to the time of exposure, by varying the speed of revolution of the lm according to the viscosity of the liquid that is being treated.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

A gas separator comprising; a closed horizontal cylindrical container of which the upper portion alfords a unitary gas chamber; a rotatable shaft extending into the container parallel to, and directly below, the axis thereof; a continuous helical iln affixed to the shaft, within the container and extending nearly to the bottom thereof; means for passing gas-containing liquid into the container; and means for maintaining the liquid within the container at about the shaft level; said container having, a sump and outlet for heavy impurities at the bottom near one end, an outlet for puried liquid at an intermediate level near said end, and an outlet for gas at the top; said fin being adapted by rotation to move settled impurities alongr the bottom of the container into said sump; and the rotatable parts within thecontainer being adapted to pass through said liquid without substantial agitation thereof. f

WILLIAM I. BETTIS. 

